Newberg High School freshman pulled from Willamette River at Rogers Landing

(News-Register staff) NEWBERG — A 15-year-old boy who was pulled from the Willamette River at Rogers Landing at 6:47 p.m. Monday, after being in the water for about 30 minutes, has been identified as Cesar Campuzano, according to Capt. Tim Svenson of the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office.

He is a freshman at Newberg High School, Claudia Stewart of the school district said. Counselors will be available at the high school to meet with students.

The boy was transported by Life Flight helicopter from the parking lot at Rogers Landing to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland where he is reported in critical condition, according to Svenson.

The Newberg-Dundee Communications Center received a 911 call at 6:19 about a possible drowning at Rogers Landing.

"He probably had been in the water two or three minutes when the call came in," Svenson said. "The Newberg Fire Department Dive Rescue Team and our marine patrol were on scene at 6:38. We were providing support, and a diver located him at 6:47."

CPR was initiated before the helicopter lifted offf.

The water is 10 to 12 feet deep where the boy was found and the water temperature was 62 degrees, according to Svenson.

He gave this account of the incident based on witness statements and deputy reports:

There were six to eight high school-age kids on the dock. Some boys were jumping into the river to swim.

"Cesar could not swim," Svenson said. "The kids he was with didn't think he would do that because everyone knew he didn't know how to swim.

"A couple of kids tried to get him to the dock, but he was in panic-mode, and started climbing all over them. They couldn't get him to the dock, and he went under."

Divers pulled him from the water and started CPR before he was flown to the Portland hospital.

In addition to the sheriff's office and Newberg Fire Department, Newberg-Dundee police and representatives of the Yamhill County Crime Victims and Witnesses Program were on scene.

"The onset of the summer months brings an increase danger to swimmers," Sheriff Jack Crabtree said. "Swimming with lifejackets may seem restrictive, but they really do save lives. Rivers pose risks that need to be considered even by the best of swimmers.